Officer Seamus Wallace grows a beard to raise money for the Stonington Human Services Energy Assistance Program. Photo courtesy of Sergeant Teresa Hirsch.
Officer Anthony Brito grows a beard to raise money for the Stonington Human Services Energy Assistance Program. Courtesy of Sgt. Teresa Hirsch.
Stonington — About a dozen police officers here will be out of compliance with departmental rules over the next few weeks as they grow a beard to raise money for the town’s energy assistance program.
“As the cold months approached, the department felt this funding would be beneficial to members of the Stonington community,” said Todd Olson, deputy director of the department’s “Warm Places for Warm Faces” initiative. I was.
Olson described Officer Peter Sieckiewicz and Sgt. Theresa Hersh contacted the town’s welfare department and learned that rising heating costs and the effects of inflation are putting pressure on the town’s Energy Assistance Fund this year.
“As long as we can help fund the Energy Assistance Fund, it is a work in progress,” Olson said, explaining that the fund needs to continue to raise money to meet community needs.
The department had previously participated in a “No Shave November” campaign to raise money for cancer research, and Olson said staff wanted to continue the effort into the new year.
“Police officers can enjoy their facial hair a little longer, and it can also benefit people in the town of Stonington who need energy assistance,” Olson said.
Olson said officials must make a donation to the Energy Assistance Fund to participate.
Departmental rules only allow police officers to wear mustaches, but Chief Jay DelGrosso has approved a temporary exception, allowing officers to attend the event until February 28.
Donations to the fund can be made directly to Human Services or through our website. Or dropped off at the police station.
